It grows in desert scrub and alkali soils such as in playas, barren dry lakes, and gypsum beds.

It is an annual herb growing a spreading, erect stem up to 15 centimeters (6 in) tall.

The leaves, which spread around the lower stem, are up to 3 centimeters (1+1⁄4 in) long with oval blades with smooth or faintly toothed edges.

The small, fuzzy inflorescence is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of narrow bell-shaped flowers.

Each flower is about one-half centimeter (1⁄4 in) long and light purple in color with a yellowish tubular throat.